DHS head Markwayne Mullin says there is not a threat to the U.S. amid FAA ground stop

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a nationwide ground stop on Friday, disrupting over 1,000 flights and causing numerous delays. The decision was made due to a communication issue affecting air traffic control, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The FAA stated that the ground stop was ordered due to "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

DHS Secretary Mullin emphasized that there was no indication of a nefarious attack causing the disruption. The FAA's alert highlighted the temporary ground stop as a measure to ensure safety, with enroute facilities working to resume normal operations as the telecommunications issue is resolved.

Major airlines, including Delta and United, are offering waivers and travel advisories to affected passengers. Delta waived change fees and fare differences for flights scheduled on Friday and Saturday, while United allowed rescheduling of trips between November 12, 2026, and November 20, 2026, without extra charges, provided the new flight departs between 12 and 20 of the same years, and remains on the same route and cabin class.

AirSpace Intel, a contractor behind the SMART AI system integrated with the FAA and air traffic control (ATC), reported that the current ground stop is unrelated to their system or the integration. As of 6:04 p.m., FlightAware reported that 1,913 flights had been canceled and 10,494 flights delayed nationwide, with the number expected to rise throughout the night as the telecommunications issue persists.